Scott Peters: “Last year, I ran for Congress on No Budget, No Pay: the concept that if Congress does not pass a budget and do its job…”

“Last year, I ran for Congress on No Budget, No Pay: the concept that if Congress does not pass a budget and do its job, we should not be paid. In so doing, I joined my Republican colleagues here in the House in being critical of the Democrats in the Senate who had not passed a budget for 4 years. As a result of our actions, we forced the Senate to pass their budget, and we in the House have passed our own. Now, according to our rules and centuries of practice, we are supposed to have a conference to reconcile the Senate and House budgets so we can approve a compromise and forward a congressional budget to the President for his signature. When I go home, I hear a sense of urgency from San Diegans about balancing the budget and ending the sequester. But too many in Washington, D.C., who are well paid and comfortable seem to care more about politics than about helping the American families and businesses that are struggling. Now is the time to honor the American people by doing our jobs. Mr. Speaker, please appoint conferees now so we can pass a Federal budget and get on with our work. ____________________”